1971 Gator Bowl (January)

The 1971 Gator Bowl (January) was a college football postseason bowl game between the Auburn Tigers and the Ole Miss Rebels

Background

This was a matchup of two Southeastern Conference teams, between second-place Auburn and fourth-place Ole Miss. This was Auburn's third straight bowl game and first Gator Bowl since 1955. This was the Rebels' 14th straight bowl appearance in Vaught's final full season. This was their first Gator Bowl since 1958. This was Archie Manning's final game as Rebel quarterback. The two teams had met in a bowl game before, in 1965.

Game summary

• Auburn — Beasley 8 yard touchdown pass from Sullivan (Jett PAT)
• Auburn — Bresler 7 yard touchdown pass from Sullivan (Jett PAT)
• Auburn — Sullivan 37 yard touchdown run (Jett PAT)
• Ole Miss — Manning 2 yard touchdown run (Poole PAT)
• Ole Miss — Franks 34 yard touchdown pass from Manning (Poole PAT)
• Auburn — Zofko 6 yard touchdown run (Jett PAT)
• Ole Miss — Poole 23 yard touchdown pass from Chumbler (Poole PAT)
• Auburn — Willingham 54 yard touchdown punt return (Jett PAT)
• Ole Miss — Chumbler 1 yard touchdown run (Poole PAT)

Manning went 19-of-28 for 180 yards while rushing for 95 yards on 11 carries, with two touchdowns and one interception. Sullivan went 27-of-43 for 351 yards and rushed for 35 yards on 10 carries, with three touchdowns and one interception.^[1]

Aftermath

Vaught was replaced by Billy Kinard before next season started. Kinard reached one bowl in his tenure before being fired midway through the 1973 season. Vaught replaced Kinard for the final 8 games, going 5-3. Before Jordan's retirement after the 1975 season, his team reached 4 more bowl games.

Statistics

References